After first opening a proceeding in 2004, a long awaited order, rules, and further proposed rulemaking have been circulated by the FCC Chairman with a proposed “fix” to the regulatory regime that governs the multi-billion dollar market for Business Data Services (BDS). Previously labeled “special access,” these enterprise services enable dedicated network connections for mobile phone service backhaul, large businesses, governments, and community anchor institutions. This panel will explore whether or not the new framework will indeed support new and emerging competition through “light handed” and “targeted” regulation and whether additional regulatory adjustments are necessary.

The rapid explosion of wireless, I/P and other technologies has created an incredible variety of voice, data and video communications capabilities, but only through a highly complex web of interconnected networks and services. These intertwined networks and services have introduced significant new challenges for policy makers, regulators, and telecom companies in ensuring public safety and consumer satisfaction through end-to-end network reliability, outage reporting and consumer communications. This panel of State PUC Staff experts will discuss the issues being faced in their states, whether recent FCC efforts have been successful and what more could be done between government and industry to address the issues.

Presenter: Sue Daly, Chair, Staff Subcommittee on Education and Research

2:15 p.m. - 2:25 p.m.

ICER

Presenter: Hon. Jack Betkoski, III, Vice Chairman, Connecticut

2:25 p.m.

New Business

Sunday, November 13

Registration Open (8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.)

Location: Flores 6

Staff Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs

Location: Flores 6

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Here Comes the Sun

While the Beatles’ song chimed that “It’s all right” -- is it? This discussion explores the growing impacts of residential solar on utility customer service, providing a snapshot of attitudes held by residential customers overall, and by solar adopters. Why and how do customers choose solar? How important are perceived environmental benefits versus savings potential? How are utilities handling their evolving relationship with solar customers? What are the impacts on call centers? Could the growing importance of customer service change customer perceptions of traditional generation and distribution? Join the discussion on the ever-changing customers’ attitudes, since we know, “The sun will come out tomorrow.”

Panelists:Jamie Wimberly, Chief Executive Officer, DEFG, LLC

Daniel Gabaldon, Director, Enovation Partners

10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Networking Break

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Beyond Lifeline Reform: Discussion of Other Existing Low-Income Consumer Programs in the Market

(Joint session with the Staff Subcommittee on Telecommunications)

Many rural and low-income customers now have access to broadband through new and modified provider-sponsored programs. Differences in participation qualifications, services, and program successes and failures will be discussed. Will Lifeline and/or other low-income programs be a broadband lifesaver? Join the discussion to find out.

Staff Subcommittee on Critical Infrastructure

Location: Flores 3

9:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

The NARUC Critical Infrastructure Subcommittee will have a small group, closed meeting to discuss any topics of interest. There is no formal agenda. The discussion will be led by Lynn Constantini from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

Gas retail competition has become a reality in most of the country. Over the past 100 years or so, natural gas customers became accustomed to the “regulated price” provided to them by the gas utility.
As consumers move to competitive suppliers, these suppliers have to compete with each other in terms of service and pricing, but also with the established safety of the regulated utility prices.

Although gas commodity prices are at the lowest they have been in decades, the potential for an uptick, whether seasonal or otherwise, is always likely. Any price fluctuation, particularly an upward move, will affect the consumer, the supplier and ultimately the regulatory commission. It is therefore important , that we all have a good understanding of “what is available out there.”

The panelists will discuss the near-term outlook and expectations for natural gas based on production trends and regional transportation and storage capabilities. It will review the tools used by the respective companies to ensure that their customers are protected, to the extent possible, from the unpredictability of the market.

(Joint session with the Staff Subcommittee on Energy Resources and the Environment)

On September 23, 2016 the US Department of Energy issued a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNOPR) on the Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Furnaces.

According to the DOE, the SNOPR responds to comments received on the (9/14/15) NOPR and Notice of Data Availability (NODA) and is making a modified proposal regarding amended energy conservation standards for residential furnaces. The notice, further, requests comment on the SNOPR's proposed standards and associated analyses and results. The DOE will accept comments through November 22, 2016.

This SNOPR has already raised some controversy, and a robust discussion on the merits of the DOE proposal.

The panel will address the availability of technologies, and discuss the level of benefits that can accrue the environment in general and consumers in particular.

Staff Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety (closed)

Location: Flores 6

Subcommittee on Pipeline Safety (closed)

Location: Flores 6

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Agenda TBA

Staff Subcommittee on Rate Design

Location: Flores 5

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

We Want Three States!: California, Nevada, and Oregon Staff Discussion

This session will feature a discussion amongst staff from the California Public Utilities Commission, Nevada Public Utilities Commission, and Oregon Public Utility Commission. Come hear the latest on rate design and related issues as staff from each of these commissions update the Subcommittee, share information, and gain a better understanding of what is going on at the staff level on the many issues facing the commissions.

Moderator: Chris Villarreal, Minnesota

Panelists:Paul Phillips, California

Stephen St. Marie, California

Anne-Marie Cuneo, Nevada

Lance Kaufman, Oregon

10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Break

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Show Me the Numbers: A Framework for Assessing Distributed Solar Policies

Panelist:Tim Woolf, Vice President, Synapse Energy Economics

This session will feature a presentation on a recently released report by Synapse on a framework for assessing distributed solar that addresses all issues qualitatively, with a focus on distributed generation development, cost-effectiveness, and cost-shifting.

With the final version of the Manual now released, attend this session to hear details about the final version, including what's changed, what's new, and what's next. Hear from several members of the drafting team on the role and purpose of the Manual, and how this might be used by a commission.

Given the challenges diverse suppliers have in growing their businesses and in competing in the global economy, it is often necessary for them to partner with major certifying bodies to maximize potential opportunities. Major corporations with supplier diversity programs are members of both state and national advocacy organizations that assist with contracting diverse suppliers. These organizations act as the gatekeepers, so to speak, between diverse suppliers and successful business opportunities and procurement. This panel will examine the relationships between all parties involved in the certification process and potential challenges and successes involved to date and going forward.

This presentation will highlight the Tribal Technology Center, its overall business and job creation model and future plans for expansion in and outside of California.

Presenter: Kevin O. Narcomey, President and CEO, Osceola Consulting

10:25 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.

21st Century Innovations in Energy: An Equity Framework

The National Urban League will present an overview of a White Paper it released in October 2016 reviewing the current state of the energy industry and setting forth a plan by which the NUL will address various pressing economic and policy issues of concern to the African-American community.

The Supplier Diversity Toolkit was formally launched at the NARUC Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Now the UMA Committee members will discuss future plans for the Toolkit, including an action plan to retrieve relevant data from each state represented at NARUC.

Staff Subcommittee on Energy Resources and the Environment

Location: Flores 1 & 2

On September 23, 2016 the US Department of Energy issued a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNOPR) on the Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Furnaces.

According to the DOE, the SNOPR responds to comments received on the (9/14/15) NOPR and Notice of Data Availability (NODA) and is making a modified proposal regarding amended energy conservation standards for residential furnaces. The notice, further, requests comment on the SNOPR's proposed standards and associated analyses and results. The DOE will accept comments through November 22, 2016.

This SNOPR has already raised some controversy, and a robust discussion on the merits of the DOE proposal.

The panel will address the availability of technologies, and discuss the level of benefits that can accrue the environment in general and consumers in particular.

The panel will examine recent proposals for a joint federal-state approach to ensuring that rural wireless consumers have access to broadband networks and services comparable to those in urban areas. The panel will address broadband adoption in rural and, by extension, urban areas associated with rural broadband deployment.

The Price is Right?: Comparing Consumer Tariffs and Their Potential Bill Impacts

Over the last several years new pricing and rate plans have emerged in the electric market. Whether it is prepay, time of use, budget billing, etc… many consumers have new options to choose from. But how do these new options compare to a traditional rate. This panel will explore the many new pricing plans offered to consumers and how consumers are reacting to them, and explore the impact on consumers, as well as the need to educate consumers about these new options.

Staff Subcommittee on Electricity and the Staff Subcommittee on Electric Reliability (Joint Meeting)

Location: Flores 5

1:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Aliso Canyon Operational Update: Keeping the Lights on in Southern California: A Story of Cross-Industry Coordination and Communication

(Joint session with the Staff Subcommittee on Electric Reliability)

In October of 2015, a gas leak was detected in one of the 115 natural gas injection/withdrawal wells in the Aliso Canyon natural gas underground storage facility. This facility is the second largest natural gas storage facility in the west and is critical to the electric reliability of southern California. During typical summer operations, the 86 billion cubic feet of capacity provides fuel for 17 electric generating plants, with a combined capacity of 9800 MW. And in the winter, the core typical demand for the gas supply flips, with residential and small commercial customers using 60 percent of the facility’s gas for heating.

By the time the leaking well was permanently sealed in the early spring of 2016, about 80 percent of its capacity was lost and the entire facility was shut-in indefinitely. Given the unprecedented number of electric generation plants counting on just-in-time gas delivery from Aliso Canyon, and the minimal amount of time to plan for alternate deliveries, how did California keep the lights on in the summer of 2016, and what provisions will assure winter operations? Our speaker will describe the unprecedented level of coordination and communication across agencies and industries required to serve customers reliably.

Growing customer engagement has been a driving force behind transformation of the U.S. electric industry. We should expect more customer engagement in the future but some customers will remain passive. Now several years after the ARRA grants provided funding for the smart grid, many benefits of these investments are being realized by consumers. We will discuss research that examines how investments in grid modernization and smart grid technologies are empowering consumers to break the mold of passive consumption and become dynamic users. Both utilities and regulators will face new challenges in the emerging world of active and passive customers. Our speakers will share insights into the consumer perspective on the customer/utility relationship of the future.

Staff Subcommittee on Electricity and the Staff Subcommittee on Electric Reliability (Joint Meeting)

Location: Flores 6

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Agenda TBA

Telecommunications Modernization Act (closed)

Location: Diego Rivera

1:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Agenda TBA

Taskforce on Transportation

Location: Flores 1 & 2

3:00 p.m. - 3:05 p.m.

Transportation Task ForceWelcome

Moderators:Hon. Gladys Brown, Pennsylvania

Hon. Ann Rendahl, Washington

3:05 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.

Town Hall on Transportation Issues

In the enabling Charter for the NARUC Transportation Task Force, the Motor Carrier Section was charged with “compiling best state practices to modify common carrier laws in light of new business models and a trend toward competitive entry.” To fulfill this mission, the Task Force sought input from NARUC members on the common issues that arise when regulating Transportation Network Companies (TNC). Over the past several months, the Task Force has gathered information from NARUC members about how individual states regulate TNC service, including the issues and best practices that have emerged. Now that the Task Force has a comprehensive summary of state regulators’ perspectives on these issues, we are seeking industry and stakeholder input on the same topics, which include jurisdictional issues, driver safety, vehicle safety, insurance, and rates.

The NARUC Executive Committee established the Transportation Task Force to, in part, address the recent increases in the transportation of crude oil by railroad companies and the concerns of NARUC members and state railroad programs about railroad safety. The Working Group on Railroad Safety was formed to consider generating a document compiling information on state and federal authority over railroad safety, the transportation of crude oil, and the recent developments at the state and federal level in those areas. Over the past several months, the Working Group coordinated meetings, education sessions and requested focused industry feedback to inform the drafting of its Report on Railroad Safety. The Working Group has prepared a draft of issues, challenges, best practices and authorities related to the regulation of railroad safety, and is seeking input from interested stakeholders and member states on additional issues that should be addressed and ways to make the Report more useful as a tool for states.

Moderator:Hon. Ann Rendahl, Washington

Panelists:
Railroad Working Group Staff TBA

4:20 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Comments from Interested Parties

Committee on International Relations

Location: Flores 4

3:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The Wide World of NARUC – Welcome and Introductions

Hon. David Danner, Washington

3:20 p.m. - 3:25 p.m.

Approval of Minutes/Resolutions

Hon. David Danner, Washington

3:25 p.m. - 3:35 p.m.

Remarks by Terry Barnich Award Recipients

The Terry Barnich Award is presented annually by the International Relations Committee to commissioners or staff in recognition of outstanding efforts to further international cooperation among utility regulators and to promote professional regulation. This year’s winners will deliver brief remarks.

Moderator:Hon. David Danner, Washington

Panelists:Hon. Philip Jones, Washington

Raj Addepalli, New York

3:35 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Live from Marrakech: A Report on COP 22 – Marrakech

As the 22nd Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC reaches its midway point, one of the key members of the US delegation will give an update on the proceedings.

Moderator:Hon. David Danner, Washington

Panelist:Jonathan Pershing, Special Envoy for Climate Change, U.S. Department of State (invited)

4:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.

Update on Energy Reform in Mexico

The International Relations Committee has been following the implementation of energy reforms in Mexico. That country’s new chief energy regulator will provide a progress report.

For the third year, the US Department of Energy sponsored a Utility Commissioner Clean Energy Technology and Policy Mission to China. During this four-city, two-week mission, the five-commissioner delegation saw first hand the demonstration of cutting-edge energy technologies and participated in discussions on energy market reforms and carbon emissions trading. This session will allow them to share their major takeaways.

Moderator:Hon. Travis Kavulla, Montana and NARUC President

Panelists:Hon. Sherina Maye Edwards, Illinois

Hon. Elizabeth Jacobs, Iowa

Hon. Sandy Jones, New Mexico

Hon. David Ziegner, Indiana

Mr. Robert Gee

4:40 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Preview of 27th World Gas Conference

A look ahead to the next triennial meeting of the International Gas Union, which will be held in Washington, D.C., in June 2018.

Discussion of Catalog of Information on Cyber/Physical Measures Taken by States to Protect Critical Infrastructure

Discussion led by NJ Board of Public Utilities

4:25 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

States and Industry to Discuss Costs Associated with Physical and Cybersecurity Upgrades

Moderator:Hon. Nick Wagner, Iowa

Panelists:Hon. Joanne Doddy Fort, District of Columbia

Billy Ball, Chief Transmission Officer, Southern Company

4:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Resolutions

Networking Break (3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

Location: Flores Foyer

Welcome Reception (5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Location: Fiesta Ballroom

Monday, November 14

OPSI Breakfast/Board Meeting (invitees only) (7:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.)

Location: Fiesta 13,14

NARUC Board of Directors Meeting (7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.)

Location: Studio

Registration Open (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

Location: La Cita

Committee on Telecommunications

Location: Flores 7 & 8

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

State Regulatory Process Considerations in National Lifeline Verification

The FCC Order, “Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization” adopts reforms to make the Lifeline program a key driver of the solution to our Nation’s broadband affordability challenge. Panelists will examine National verification challenges. USAC, the agent for the FCC’s Universal Service Programs, will give a briefing on the steps taken on the development of a national verifier model for Lifeline ETC designations and other implementation activities. NARUC Commissioners and Telecommunications Industry representatives will review State regulatory oversight of Telephone, Wireless and Broadband and strategies for providing Human Services Data Information and established efforts to provide Lifeline verification.

Committee on Water

Location: Flores 6

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

The Challenges of Produced Water Storage and Disposal

Produced water, a byproduct of natural gas and oil exploration and production, presents challenges for storage and disposal. The panel will discuss those challenges and the role that State regulators will have in the storage and disposal of produced water.

Irrigation and other large volume water use sustain important economic interests including agriculture and recreational activities such as the golf course industry. The panel will discuss what efforts are being undertaken to improve irrigation practices to sustain those interests while being engaging in conservation practices. The panel will also discuss how State regulators and the water utilities they regulate can facilitate improved irrigation practices.

Moderator: Hon. Mary-Anna Holden, New Jersey

Panelists:Brian Brady, General Manager, Fallbrook Public Utilities District

Items of Business of the Water Committee will be covered including discussion and action on Resolutions and approval of the minutes from the Summer Meetings. Additionally, updates from the various partners of the Water Committee will be given, including NAWC, NARUC, WRF, NRRI, and NARUC's Rate School. Members of the Committee will also have time to brief the Committee on activities of interest in their State.

Committee on Gas

Location: Flores 5

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.

Putting Pedal to the Metal—But Will Natural Gas Hit a Brick Wall?

Recent infrastructure projects have faced opposition from a wide and varied group of known and also previously unknown special interests. Specifically, small but vocal groups have voiced opposition to projects ranging from LNG export terminals to new gas pipeline construction. Regulators and legislators alike have discovered that this new environment requires careful navigation and an uptick in procedural elements before regulators and court challenges as well. One such case study in New England saw the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court denying the state PUC’s authorization for electric distribution companies to procure available gas capacity in an effort to secure a low-cost, more reliable natural gas supply for electric generation. The Court’s decision has wide ranging implications for Massachusetts and the region. Given this dynamic, and the trend it seems to indicate, is it possible to develop, permit and construct major new natural gas infrastructure projects? What, if anything, can the pipeline industry, end-user utilities, state regulators, FERC, and other regional, state and federal stakeholders do to facilitate safe and reasonable development of critical industry in today's climate where even legally permitted projects are being successfully blocked from construction? Is additional pipeline capacity needed as a backstop for the development of renewable energy and to allow customers heating their homes with oil to shift to natural gas?

The Future of Gas:Synergies Between Natural Gas and Renewable Generation

While the “utility of the future” gets a lot of attention on the electric side of the industry, the gas sector nationwide represents several possibilities in terms of distribution, retail services, and customer choice. Grid operators are seeing a significant increase in variable renewable energy resources, reaching 30 to 40% of demand at times in some regions (ERCOT for example). This variability can cause reliability issues and grid stability problems. Natural gas generation is a good complement to variable energy as NG generation is flexible and can quickly cycle up and down. More renewable, variable energy on the grid will lead to the need for more gas generation to maintain stability.This panel will discuss the unique perspective of the gas industry as it relates to the future of the utility and how synergies exist between natural gas and renewable generation and how to work to coordinate the two.

Federal agencies like the Department of Defense, and state and local governments are designing and building distributed energy systems, often in combination with energy storage, to support the continued operation of critical infrastructure during grid outages, natural disasters, and other emergencies. Unlike individual backup generators, these resources also provide value to consumers and to the grid during periods of normal (non-emergency) operation. This panel will explore the costs and benefits of using distributed resources for resiliency and the operational characteristics of projects underway in various locations.

Committee on Electricity

Location: Flores 4

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Location, Location, Location, and the Value of Distributed Energy Resources

Electric utilities are changing how they plan and operate their facilities as a result of policy incentives, technological improvements, and consumer choices that promote the increased use of distributed energy resources (DER). DER integration policies in California, New York and elsewhere will require utilities to more inclusively account for distributed resources and to identify where DER can be best integrated to provide the greatest benefit to the entire electric system. This panel will discuss the technical and policy implications of a landmark study with Consolidated Edison of New York and Southern California Edison that demonstrated methods for valuing the temporal and spatial impacts of DER on both radial and network distribution systems.

Networking Break (3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)

Section A (3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.)

Location: Flores 6

3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

A1

The Architecture of Modern Telecommunications & What It Says About Competition

What is regulated (or not) in the world of communications depends on whether there is sufficient competition for the service in question. Some services (long-distance) are obviously competitive; others (special access on which business data service relies) perhaps less so. This informative tutorial walks through the architecture of the modern telecom world and identifies the places that are wide open for competition and those which are bottlenecks.

Location: Flores 7-8

3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

A2

A Wholesale Market for Water: Do we need an ISO?

As water scarcity becomes an increasing issue, especially in the western states, new and creative ideas to address the cost of water resources. Wholesale rates for water can differ widely especially between urban drinking water and rural agricultural uses. In the electric industry RTO/ISOs create a market for pricing the commodity. Participants will discuss the applicability of locational marginal pricing to the water industry to ensure that increasing water scarcity can be managed at least cost, for the benefit of all customers. Attendees will learn what adaptations from electricity market design would be necessary to model the hydrological, environmental and legal constraints of water supply.

Moderator: Hon. Doug Little, Arizona

Participants:Hon. Catherine Sandoval, California

Frank A. Wolak, Director, Program on Energy and Sustainable Development, Professor, Department of Economics, Stanford University

Location: Flores 1-2

Utilities are trending hard on Wall Street and are red hot for investors seeking to mobilize capital. Just how sweet of a deal are utilities getting? Debt has never been cheaper, but utilities resist the opportunity to debt-finance big investments, maintaining a capital structure that is still heavier on equity than their peers in Canada. Meanwhile, authorized returns on equity have fallen only slightly, and not as much as treasury rates have. Participants will learn what the underlying economics are and hear why financial players are responding with such interest.

Moderator: Hon. David Ziegner, Indiana

Participant:

Hon. Ron Brise, Florida

Hon. Moin Yahya, Alberta Utilities Commission

James Coyne, Senior Vice President, Concentric Energy Advsors

Randy Woolridge, Professor of Finance, The Goldman, Sachs and Frank P. Smeal Endowed University Fellow in Business Administration, President, Nittany Lion Fund, LLC, The Pennsylvania State University

Location: Flores 4

3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

A4

Charging Ahead: Rate Design & Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles are on the street and charging all around us, so what are the rules of the road? This session will review the role of the commission, utilities, and the stakeholders when it comes to electric vehicle rate design. State Commissioners will highlight proceedings which have discussed the appropriate role of the utility in investing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure and whether it will be rate based, or ‘below the line’ as an unregulated enterprise. Attendees will hear about the year-long investigation the State of Oregon initiated as well as pilot projects California has underway. Attendees will learn about 6 factors the State or Oregon used for consideration when determining whether to grant cost recovery.

Location: Flores 5

3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

A5

Into Darkness: The Use of Interactive Exercises to Reduce Unknowns for Commissions

Many infrastructure challenges come from preparing for events that have never happened before. These “unknown unknowns” may be impossible to predict until after they’ve happened. A number of State Commissions have used tabletop exercises to help prepare for unpredictable events like earthquakes, cyber-attacks, terrorism, and even more mundane threats like rapid changes in technology and markets or renewable energy adoption. Commissions will learn how other states have learned from the interactive approach of using tabletop exercises. Commissions will hear about success stories and how they can replicate this preparedness. Stakeholders will learn how interactive exercises can contribute to building strong partnerships between public and private sectors, which is an essential precursor for effective communication in emergencies. A mini-interactive demonstration will be produced to illustrate some of the ways this approach can help your Commission navigate the unknown.

Tuesday, November 15

Registration Open (8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)

Location: La Cita

General Session

Location: Fiesta Ballroom

In January, there will be a new administration and a new Congress. What will be their priorities? Perhaps more importantly, what should they be for the energy and telecom sectors?

This panel provides a read-out of what we know, what to look for, and offers ideas for reforms of the seminal laws and regulations that govern the regulated utility space

Moderator: Hon. Travis Kavulla, Montana

Panelist:Bill Ritter, Jr., Former Colorado Governor, Founder and Director of the Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) at Colorado State University

Adam Bender, Associate Editor, Communications Daily

Devin Hartman, Electricity Policy Manager, R Street Institute

Ray Gifford, Partner at WBK and former Colorado Public Utilities Commission Chairman

Networking Break (10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.)

Location: Flores Foyer

Section B (10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.)

Location: Flores 5

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

B1

A Roadmap for a Successful Stakeholder Process

Before that thorny issue becomes a full-blown contested case before your Commission, consider engaging in a stakeholder process. But what does that mean? What does a successful one look like? Failure to engage a stakeholder process could lead to negative consequences such as protests and disruptions that detract from the issues. How do you prevent stakeholder engagement from just being a talk-a-thon leading up to a whole lot of nothing? Hear from stakeholders who will present their ideas about how to make the process work. Learn what tools are needed and how to map successful implementation. Also, learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of the process.

Location: Flores 1-3

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

B2

Methane Regulation: The Achilles Heel of Natural Gas?

Plan to attend this unscripted and honest discussion on the PHMSA pending rulemakings on safety issues and on other planned regulations that may help determine how durable a future natural gas has as the default fuel for American electric generation. Background: The EPA released sweeping rules targeting methane emissions from new or modified oil and gas wells, as well as equipment that transports and stores oil and natural gas. The regulations drew sharp criticism as costly and unnecessary. EPA says the new rules will cost operators at least $530 million – adding more financial burdens to a stressed industry laboring under comprehensive oversight. The EPA also signaled plans to apply similar rules to existing rigs/equipment and sought more data from industry to study how to further contain emissions.

Moderator:Hon. Diane Burman, New York

Participants:Ralph LaRossa, President and COO, Public Service Electric & Gas

Location: Flores 4

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

B3

Exploring Performance-Based Regulation

Some jurisdictions have moved away from the model of a return-on-rate-base/cost-of-service regulatory model, and have instead targeted utility revenues to establish measures of performance, such as customer satisfaction and reliability. This panel presents a few case studies on what has worked—and what hasn’t. In this session, participants will learn what experiences States and other countries have had in using performance-based regulation, as well as exploring what recommendations exist for implementing it at pilot or scale in your jurisdiction.

Location: Flores 6

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

B4

Catch Me if You Can! Can New Technologies Stop Spoof Callers?

Consumers are increasingly inundated (and annoyed) by robo calls. While there are many legitimate robo calls, the ease with which phone numbers can be faked, or “spoofed," has led to a proliferation of scam calls. Rampant spoofing has undermined State and federal “do not call” lists and this makes identification of culprits and enforcement action difficult. Attendees will learn about new technologies that allow consumers to block unwanted calls. Attendees will understand the enforcement efforts at the State and federal level.

Moderator: Hon. Karen Charles Peterson, Massachusetts

Participants:

Hon. Brandon Presley, Mississippi

Debra Berlyn, President, Consumer Policy Solutions

Michael Brady, SVP, State Regulatory Affairs, Comcast

Brent Struthers, Senior Policy Advisor, Neustar, Inc.

Linda Vandeloop, AVP External Affairs, AT&T

No Presentations Provided for this Session

Location: Flores 7-8

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

B5

Is Bigger Better? What You Need to Know about Mergers and Acquisitions

With a few high profile deals already done, another rejected, two recently announced and at least another ten utility companies looking ripe for takeovers, now is a good time to ask whether bigger is better. Experts will discuss why they are happening and how commissions should review them. Attendees will learn the reasons why - despite the time and controversies involved - utilities seek to merge with or acquire other utilities. Commissioners and staff will gain insight on different approaches to reviewing proposals and will learn how to spot the salient issues at stake.

Networking Break (11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)

Location: Flores Foyer

Section C (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.)

Location: Flores 4

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

C1

How to Consider Big Data in Prudence Reviews and Rate Cases

Big data is becoming an invaluable tool to power, water, gas, and telecommunications companies. The power of the Cloud and of predictive analytics are opening up services and markets that were unimaginable five years ago. Participants will answer the tough questions: What are the most promising leads? What are the trade-offs, cautions, and wait-and-see areas? Do regulatory structures create barriers, and if so, what can we do about it? What can we do to get out of the way? All attendees will learn about accounting and ratemaking implications of utility expenditures on remotely hosted software. Commissioners and staff will learn what opportunities can be realized for utilities and rate payers from big data analytics, what regulatory structures create barriers to this and how to remove them, and how to judge which investments are prudent in terms of preserving optionality for future innovative issues? Stakeholders will learn how to navigate those regulatory barriers.

Location: Flores 5

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

C2

Is There a Federal Infrastructure Package in Our Future?

For years Congress has been discussing new ways to fund investment to upgrade and repair aging infrastructure across the country. The recent events in Flint, Michigan have shed new light on the infrastructure challenges facing our nation. ASCE issues grades for the different infrastructures: Energy – D+; Drinking Water – D; Waste Water – D. Overall ASCE estimated that $3.6 trillion in investment is needed by 2020 to bring all our infrastructure up to a passing grade. The question is how to pay for it? Presidential and congressional candidates are increasingly talking about the need to invest in America’s infrastructure. With a new President and new Congress the initiative may get some traction in 2017. If so what form would this federal funding take? What priorities would States and the utility sector be looking for in such funding?

Location: Flores 6

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

C3

RTO/ISO Governance: When Should States lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way?

States are all over the map in terms of their involvement in the decision-making process of ISOs and RTOs. Should they be in the driver’s seat on certain questions, like transmission cost allocation and resource adequacy, or should they tend to their knitting back home? State representatives will share their experience on the regional state committees that do everything from making decisions to providing advice to the multi-state organized markets. Commissioners and staff will learn about different approaches to the RTO/ISO stakeholder processes, the most effective ways to participate; how regional RTO/ISO committees differ from and interact with regional NARUC organizations; and what actions within and outside the stakeholder process can have the most impact. Stakeholders will hear about Commission priorities and learn about best methods to engage with Commissions on RTO/ISO issues.

Location: Flores 1-3

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

C4

Storage: A Power System Game Changer?

A variety of storage technologies are capable of providing grid-supporting functions. Participants will discuss how the latest research on power system storage, including large-scale and aggregated small scale stationary batteries, hold potential to support the power grid, and what the latest technology and cost trends are. Commissioners and others will learn how it can be evaluated in the context of an IRP. Lastly, attendees will learn what types of services storage provides that should be paid for in an RTO setting, including what the different rules are for different types of storage systems, and what initiatives are helping or hindering incorporation of electric storage assets into the wholesale markets.

Location: Flores 8

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

C5

The Price of Privacy

This panel will look at privacy practices and policy issues in the telecom, water, and electric sectors. It will explore what each sector can learn from the experience of the other. It will examine current policy debates at the federal and state level. In addition, the panel will look at “pay for privacy” plans – are they being seen in other utility sectors, or just Telecom? Will the “Market” be effective in “regulating” utility privacy practices? What are the marketing and education needs of consumers to make an informed choice on allowing the use of their personal data by utilities?

Installation Luncheon (1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.)

Location: Fiesta Ballroom

NARUC Board of Directors Meeting (2:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.)

Location: Studio

National Regulatory Research Institute (NRRI) Colloquium

Location: Flores 6

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Opening Remarks & Introductions

Moderator:Rajnish Barua, Ph.D., NRRI Executive Director

2:35 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Broadband Access and Adoption – Where are we?

The FCC, providers, public interest groups, and others have encouraged broadband deployment and access through programs such as the Connect America Fund, the Broadband Lifeline Program, and carrier-sponsored programs such as Comcast's Internet Essentials. The states have also implemented programs to encourage broadband availability and adoption,. This presentation will these programs and others (including Facebook's proposed free internet program) in order to assess the status of broadband adoption across the country.

The recent rapid growth in applications for distributed energy resources is partly the result of major technological improvements and cost reductions. Some of those improvements are enabling changes in utility interconnection procedures for distributed generation and storage, especially for systems that use new smart inverters. Interconnection standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and testing standards from Underwriters Laboratory (UL) are both undergoing major revisions, in keeping with the new technical capabilities for safe integration with the electric grid. Forthcoming work by NRRI Principal Researcher Tom Stanton and Research Associate Kathryn Kline will explore the kinds of technical revisions that are in the works and identify possible changes in pre-existing interconnection rules, standards, and practices that state commissions might consider, to reduce interconnection challenges for both utilities and system designers, installers, and their customers. This colloquium presentation will outline plans for that research and invite any additional questions or topics to be included in this project.

This presentation is based on a research report released Ocotober 2016 and lays out a general approach for regulators in evaluating Multiyear Rate Plans (MRPs) as a ratemaking mechanism with the potential to advance the public interest. It first discusses the expected benefits and outcomes of MRPs over traditional ratemaking practices. The paper then takes a more critical approach by accounting for the downsides of MRPs. The fact that relatively few utilities are currently operating under a MRP suggests that like most other mechanisms it has its costs as well as benefits. An overall evaluation therefore requires a cost-benefit review. Utility customers can potentially benefit from MRPs in four major ways: (1) lower prices, (2) more moderate price changes over time, (3) utility supply of more services, (4) higher reliability and improved customer service, and (5) more immediate price benefits from improved utility performance. For regulators, the question is: What would it take to produce these benefits? This research attempts to answer this question, although admittedly not definitely and completely.

Wednesday, November 16

Registration Open (8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)

Location: La Cita

Section D (8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.)

Location: Flores 1-3

8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

D1

Opening the Door on Open Records Requests

With an increased trend for transparency and information sharing from state, local, and federal governments come an ever-increasing number of Freedom of Information Act requests. Although the Act itself pertains to federal government, there are related guidelines or statutes in place for each state. This session is designed to help states better understand and manage these requests and decrease the chilling effect associated with communicating internally and externally. Attendees will learn more about the rules of FOIA and open records requests, share and hear best practices for effective responses, understand the exemptions and, understand how State regulations on releasing public records differ from federal law.

Location: Flores 4

8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

D2

A Square-Off on Nuclear Policy

The Headlines tell the story:

These Two Huge States Are Both Going Green, But Only One Is Trying to Save Nuclear Energy; Nuclear's Decline Will Raise Clean Power Plan Compliance Costs; Climate Scientists Urge California to Reconsider Diablo Canyon Closure Plans; Current Plant Closures Expected to Increase U.S. Carbon Emissions by 46 Million Metric Tons.

The debate on this issue will unfold live at NARUC! New York and California have taken different policy paths—each with merit. Ralph Cavanagh of NRDC and others will argue which State took the better alternative and why. Commissions and stakeholders will hear varying views on the most efficient way to migrate to a reduced carbon generation portfolio, including how to handle nuclear generation going forward. This problem is front and center before a large number of State Commissions and of interest to all stakeholders in the energy sector.

Networking Break (9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.)

Location: Flores Foyer

General Session and NARUC Business Meeting

Location: Fiesta Ballroom

The General Session will begin with the NARUC Annual Business Meeting. Commissioners are requested to take seats in the front of the meeting room.

This session will review how the distributed energy resources compensation manual can be most useful to both new and seasoned commissioners and their staff. Attendees will be able to interact with the authors of the manual as they go through a guided case study showing the use and application of the DER Compensation Manual. Attendees learn the primary purposes of the manual and what implementation should look like. At the conclusion, attendees will know: how a State can identify the impacts of DER on its system, what types of questions a regulator should be asking, and what type of information a regulator should be collecting. The authors will also discuss when revisiting your DER policy is appropriate and what policy techniques are most useful at that time.